Do you sometimes buy to collect, but not read?

[Joseph]

Do you find from time to time that you've bought a book that you did not plan to read? That you bought it for some other reason, such as just to have a complete series or all the works by a particular author or because it was signed, etc.? I find I like to buy books for all of the above reasons and more. I've bought books in a series that I lost interest in but I still want to have the complete series. And I've bought books by certain authors, such as Dickens and Twain, just so I can say I have them in my library. And I've bought signed books by famous authors that I have yet to read. Do you ever do this for any reasons such as these or any others? Bought just to have rather than to read? More for collection development rather than reading enjoyment?
I've created a poll related to this if you don't mind adding your vote there as well as commenting here. Thanks. http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/88...

['Aussie Rick']

I sometimes buy a book to complete a series by an author, I think the intention is to read it a some stage but sometimes not :)

[Heidi]

Nope, I have read almost all of the books in my collection (except some of my hubby's books. HE buys to collect!) There is about a shelf's worth that I haven't read yet. I got four whole boxes from a friend who was clearing out space to make room for more. Down to only a shelf, and part of me is seriously thinking I might need to cull those because they haven't been read because they don't quite grab me... but I keep waiting to see if I end up in a special mood one day and pick them up.

[Louise]

Yes, I very rarely re-read a book, but I might still buy a lovely hardcover/special edition of a paperback/audiobook I loved.

[Lana]

I always plan to read every book I purchase. It may take some time to get to it. I love having unread books, so I am never without a book to read.

[Joei]

Absolutely NOT. I only buy books that I intend to use as reference books and rely on their information. The books for pleasure I read once are usually from various libraries or have traded with friends. Joei

[France]

I guess I do, since I like collecting my favorite series in French as well as in English. I usually read the story in the language I get first, and stick to it when I re-read, even if I have the two versions by that time. And I wonder how I got so many books ...

[[deleted user]]

No. I plan to read the books I buy. On rare occasions I haven't finished a book because of not liking it but I wouldn't consider buying a book without eventually reading it. I think I have six in my stack to be read. Time for more shopping.

[Rachel]

I read what i buy mostly at thrift stores but sometimes stores but really i just go to the library

[Karen M]

Every book I buy I mean to read but I admit once I start a series I will try to acquire all the books even if I know I won't be reading them for maybe years.

[Ampa]

I have bought books because they looked nice or old. I have a book called The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt. I would like to read it eventually but I'm also just happy to have it in my collection.

[Lára]

Yes. If I buy the 1st book in the series and I do not like it, if I read it - that´s it, I´ll buy all the other books in the series anyway, even though I´ll probably never read them.

I also buy books just because they look nice.

I sometimes collect all the editions of the book or series. For example, I have both, UK and US, collection of Wings series by Aprilynne Pike

If I have an e-book of the particular title, I´ll always buy paperback or hardcover edition as well, just to have them on my shelf (bad or good, does not matter)

[Kelli]

I fully intend to read every book I purchase. Whether or not I can find the time to do so is still under debate.

However, if its a book I have already read and loved and bought to have a copy--I may or may not re-read it. But it is there for my daughter to read at some point (assuming she has the reading bug like me). And there are some books I like to have on hand for reference.

A few years ago I bought an enormous amount of books with the intention of opening a used book store. My business endeavor more or less fell through and I donated the lot of them to a library that really needed them. So I guess this falls into the category of purchasing with no intention to read.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

This is one quirk I don't have - I do only buy books I intend to read. At this point though I'm starting to think I may never read them all.

[Paulfozz]

I 'do' buy books because of a need to collect, if they are part of a series that I've other books from. I do try very hard to ensure that they are books I will read though. I've bought some unusual ones through collecting the Collins New Naturalist books, a few that are more than a little oddball ('The World Of The Soil' being one, but it has fantastic drawings of nematode worms!) but I do intend to read or refer to all of them. There are some that I've found in shops that I know I am unlikely to read and I have been quite good at resisting them, despite the very strong desire to buy them to add to my collection - particularly when one appears that is very cheap!

I also buy books if it's one I've particularly enjoyed and want to own a decent edition, even though I might not re-read it for quite a long time.

[K]

No, I only ever buy books that I want to read.

[Linz]

I bought The Histories by Herodotus because it was referenced in The English Patient which is a book and movie that I have a big love affair with. I will never read this book but I felt I needed to have it.

['Aussie Rick']

Funny you mentioned that book Linz as I have just ordered a copy of this latest translation which I intend to try and read:

by Herodotus

[Linz]

Well Aussie Rick you'll have to let me know if I should attempt it or not!

['Aussie Rick']

I will, I'm a big fan of Tom Holland which is why I ordered a copy of this book. I must confess to already having a copy of The Histories which, like you, I purchased after watching The English Patient but this editon has been getting some great reviews :)

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

Yes. I collect books by certain authors. :)